Sunday, 21 January 2018

Planned Your Holiday? Tips To Stay Safe

Travelling is exciting, exhilarating, educational and expands your perspective on the different cultures on our planet. Whether you are travelling alone, with friends or with your family it is essential to consider the safety aspects of travelling to different parts of the world. This article aims to give pointers to maintaining safe travel in specific countries.

Before you embark on any form of travel it is important to get travel insurance that covers you for the duration. Travel insurance costs will depend on the country you’re visiting, your age and existing medical conditions. You can get specific insurance relevant to your age bracket, for example some companies offer travel insurance for over 70s. It is important to be very exact when informing travel insurance companies of your medical conditions, age and country of travel to avoid any complications if you have to make a claim.

Once you have your travel insurance in place it is important to find out if you need to have any vaccinations to prevent you from contracting disease and infection from the area in which you’re travelling. Travel vaccinations will cover you for yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A, but will only be required if you’re travelling to countries in continents such as South America and Africa. Check with your travel company and medical practitioner for guidance.

Many countries experience crime that are specific to their areas and whilst travelling we need to ensure we are fully aware of how to stay safe.

Mexico

Mexico is a wonderful country to visit with many attractions to offer. Tourists are drawn to the diversity of the country that can offer amazing beaches, jungles, major cities and colourful fiestas.

Mexico however unfortunately presents a fair amount of risk to the tourist too. The Mexican government has made a great deal of effort to lower crime in the major tourist destinations such as Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Los Cabos, however there were a number of shooting incidents in these areas in 2017.

If you travel away from the tourist destinations, it is essential to research properly the ares to avoid. Drug crime has increased and is often gang related.

Crime and violence is a big threat to tourists in Mexico and it advisable to only travel during daylight hours. Theft on public transport is common and if driving it is a better option to only drive on the toll roads, thus avoiding isolated roads where possible. Keep windows and doors locked.

Political demonstrations can often turn quite volatile, so avoidance of large crowds is a necessity. Keep a close eye on local media, to say alert.

If you intend to partake in watersports whilst in Mexico, check the equipment is up to date and well maintained. Also ask to see insurances and licenses.

Europe

Europe is made up of many countries all with their own levels of crime, however Europe has hit the headlines in recent years due to the threat of terrorism. In reality the risk of terrorism is no higher than elsewhere in the world. Many articles and maps have placed parts of Europe as being at a high threat of terrorism, these countries include the UK, France, Germany and Spain. The governments of these countries have their own systems of monitoring terrorism and have become extremely security aware at airports, large events, shopping centres and major tourist cities. Extra vigilance by tourists is encouraged.

Travelling in Europe is relatively safe, however it is important to be aware of the possibility of theft from pickpockets and scams carried out by bogus taxi drivers. Pickpocketing is rife in major tourist cities such as Rome, Barcelona and London and is carried out in gangs. Tips for maximising safety would be to try and blend in, in other words don’t carry expensive camera equipment and handbags. Use money belts and prepaid money cards to keep any money lost to a minimum. Ensure pockets, coats and bags remain zipped and keep vigilant at all times. It would be a good idea to keep all valuables and travel documents in the hotel safe.

Australia

Staying safe doesn’t usually spring to mind when considering a trip to Australia, apart from the risk of theft from pickpockets, which is pretty much apparent in all tourist destinations.

Interestingly most safety aspects to travelling in Australia actually relate to its climate.

Australia boasts a harsh climate to unprepared visitors. The sun is hot and unforgiving, which can cause horrific sunburn if care is not taken. There are also numerous poisonous creatures that live in Australia that have venom strong enough to kill.

The outdoor lifestyle can cause safety hazards too, as more tourists attempt extreme sports without proper tuition. This is apparent with the number of drownings that happen each year.

With due care and attention and having a respect for the climate, Australia is a wonderful country to visit and stay safe.

This is only a small snapshot of the potential safety issues that can occur when travelling. Obviously a lot more research is needed when travelling to countries in Africa or the middle east. Some areas are no longer accessible to tourists due to them being unsafe, this can change often and it’s a good idea to check tourist information regarding any country you wish to travel before booking.

Always make photocopies of your insurances and travel documents before travelling and also ensure you have relevant telephone numbers to ask for assistance if needed. Make sure you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay, but don’t travel with cash as your sole source. Credit cards and prepaid cards are a safer option.

When you arrive at your destination take note of where the local medical facilities are, as well as how to call for emergency assistance. These points are particularly important if you’re an independent traveller without the security of a travel company.

Once you have considered how to stay safe and you have put things in place to stay as safe as possible it is time to relax and enjoy your holiday!